Harm Reduction The Pain Management Mega Thread Version 4

[Mainah]

Hello everyone, I'm a new member here (joined the site so I could use this forum). I guess a little introduction is in order. I've got Chronic Pancreatitis and sometimes suffer from stomach Ulcers (painful ones, rarely bloody). I have had chronic pancreatitis for a long time and about 12 years ago went from Tramadol to Oxycodone. The only thing I thought about was not becoming a 'loser' or 'addict' for a very long time (and it still concerns me to today). I don't take that much at a time, 5-15 mg depending on my level of pain. My doctor acknowledges that pain fluctuates and gives me a set amount and I call them in when I need to.

I've been on the same dosage for the whole time (12 years). The problem is that my pancreatitis is getting worse (the pain and MRI / ERCP procedures and such are all indicating that). The reason that I haven't had problems with the tolerance I think is due to the relatively low dosage that I take at a time. I would say that I'm on between 20-30 mg a day total, sometimes more if I'm in a flare up. But with the increasing pain, I don't really know what to do anymore. I have a lot to do in life. I'm 26 and I've had chronic pancreatitis since I was 8.5 years old. There isn't a surgical option that is viable. I'm waiting on stem cells or something along that line to be available to me. As it is, my disability has really screwed a lot out of my life and I am getting to the point where I need to do something with my life or basically commit suicide because it's not worth it anymore. I'm very intelligent and could become a doctor with my IQ and memory and passion for medicine and helping people. I'm in college right now studying nursing (as I figured Med School would be too much with my disability).

Basically, I just wish this happened after I was done with college (my worsening pain/symptoms). I need to figure out how to finish college and try to live a relatively normal life. I even have this girl I really like, but am pretty concerned about her knowing I'm on disability, take medicine and all that. And yea, living on SSI $740 a month isn't helping my troubles. I would be screwed if it weren't for FAFSA and Food Stamps (SNAP). But I digress. The pain is stopping me from exercising to any degree and taking unexpected chunks out of my time which makes studying and learning harder. I have considered a few options already and would like to hear what you guys' opinion is and what your own thoughts may be.

1.) Increase the amount of Oxycodone I take.
2.) Try a different medicine.
3.) Try nontraditional medicine (holistic I guess it's called)
4.) Do something that you guys think of that I can't.

I should mention that the reason why I didn't immediately just ask for more medicine was because I was slightly worried about being unable to handle them tolerance wise. I don't know what people think about addiction, but I don't even know what that means to someone like me. I don't think it's possible to be 'addicted'. I acknowledge that I'm 'dependent' on the medicine (because I would not live in this pain - that's 0 quality of life). So tolerance is my main concern with answer #1. And yes I'm posting super late because I can't sleep.

 

[tricomb]

The most important thing you can do is treat your pain through a multifaceted approach, you can't rely on medication alone to help you live a functional life. I tried and failed to live that way for years. It's a ticket to Hell.

I was going to write a lot more in response to your post but I'm having a pain flare and am going to try to alleviate a bit of it then I'll revisit this thread. This thread is incredible, full of amazing posters and human beings who can understand, in one way or another, what you're going through.


Welcome to Bluelight, and our Chronic Pain Management Megathread.

 

[Lady Codone]

Hey pain mgmt peeps. I have a gyno's appointment next week regarding my terrible menstrual cramps (I mean, off the charts bad) and daily lower back/abdominal pain. Whole lot of other symptoms I won't get into here, but I suspect endometriosis.

In any case, the other day I gave myself gastritis by taking so many ibuprofen to control my cramps. I can easily take 30 in a day, which is terribly unsafe and doesn't work anyway. My main concern is being taken seriously by the doctor, which I haven't been in the past. I've been seeking help for my cramps for a decade with no diagnosis and no treatment (besides prescription Motrin). I went to the ER in February and they found ovarian cysts but that's it.

I'm probably going to ask for birth control, but I need some pain pills to get me through those 2-3 days per month. How should I preface this so I'm not labeled a drug seeker? I literally cannot stomach any more NSAIDs, and tylenol doesn't work at all. Not looking for anything stronger than hydrocodone or codeine btw.

Thanks!

 

[Morphling]

We can't tell you how to get pills, but my suggestion would be--be totally honest concerning how problematic and debilitating the pain from your condition is.

 

[Corazon]

Hey pain mgmt peeps. I have a gyno's appointment next week regarding my terrible menstrual cramps (I mean, off the charts bad) and daily lower back/abdominal pain. Whole lot of other symptoms I won't get into here, but I suspect endometriosis.

In any case, the other day I gave myself gastritis by taking so many ibuprofen to control my cramps. I can easily take 30 in a day, which is terribly unsafe and doesn't work anyway. My main concern is being taken seriously by the doctor, which I haven't been in the past. I've been seeking help for my cramps for a decade with no diagnosis and no treatment (besides prescription Motrin). I went to the ER in February and they found ovarian cysts but that's it.

I'm probably going to ask for birth control, but I need some pain pills to get me through those 2-3 days per month. How should I preface this so I'm not labeled a drug seeker? I literally cannot stomach any more NSAIDs, and tylenol doesn't work at all. Not looking for anything stronger than hydrocodone or codeine btw.

Thanks!

we can't tell you how to get prescribed something

I definetely wouldn't worry about being labeled a drug seeker.

You say you have off-the-charts pain for your menstrual cramps. You have a legitimate medical issue. Tell the doctor. Tell them what you have tried to take (tylenol,nsaids,etc). He will probably think of something for you to try for the pain. He may have you go for tests to find out if there are underlying issues as to what is causing your pain to be off-the-charts. If you have medical records from past menstrual cramps that left you hospitalized, bring those. Good Luck.

corazon

 

[deximate]

I have 5 herniated discs and one squishing my sciatic nerve on my left side. The pain is unbearable. Right now im on 200 mcg of fentanyl but it isnt helping. I have no clue what to do. I go to a pain clinic, but because of my insurance, I cant get another appt until august. I'm at a complete loss. If anyone has any suggestions, Id be completely grateful. Thanks

 

[ray_mon]

I have 5 herniated discs and one squishing my sciatic nerve on my left side. The pain is unbearable.

so sorry. I assume one is at s1. My advise is to get it surgeically fixed asap before damage is done to the nerve.

as to meds. really a 1,000,000 question. While fent and hydromorphone give little PM, I feel it's my DR and am looking for new as insurance covers. let alone med costs.

discectomy is surgical name. don't wait. just do it before it is too late..


*edit;

Late, but not worth another post imo, sorry.. but, I wonder if there is a more painful injury than what you describe? just brutal physically and mentally. good luck!!

 

[tricomb]

Hey pain mgmt peeps. I have a gyno's appointment next week regarding my terrible menstrual cramps (I mean, off the charts bad) and daily lower back/abdominal pain. Whole lot of other symptoms I won't get into here, but I suspect endometriosis.

In any case, the other day I gave myself gastritis by taking so many ibuprofen to control my cramps. I can easily take 30 in a day, which is terribly unsafe and doesn't work anyway. My main concern is being taken seriously by the doctor, which I haven't been in the past. I've been seeking help for my cramps for a decade with no diagnosis and no treatment (besides prescription Motrin). I went to the ER in February and they found ovarian cysts but that's it.

I'm probably going to ask for birth control, but I need some pain pills to get me through those 2-3 days per month. How should I preface this so I'm not labeled a drug seeker? I literally cannot stomach any more NSAIDs, and tylenol doesn't work at all. Not looking for anything stronger than hydrocodone or codeine btw.

Thanks!

I'm really sorry but whether you have a legitimate condition or not, the OD Forum Guidelines and the rules of this thread state that no information that could be abused to manipulate doctors may be posted without punitive action, since there is no way of distinguishing who's legit and who is not, we have to leave that up to the professionals, and those who have gone through the medical training to prescribe medication. Please review the terms and conditions of this forum before posting again, we can't help you obtain any prescriptions.

 

[BigG]

I have 5 herniated discs and one squishing my sciatic nerve on my left side. The pain is unbearable. Right now im on 200 mcg of fentanyl but it isnt helping. I have no clue what to do. I go to a pain clinic, but because of my insurance, I cant get another appt until august. I'm at a complete loss. If anyone has any suggestions, Id be completely grateful. Thanks

I have just switched from fentanyl patch (prescribed 150mch/hr but using twice that cos my stupid doctor was an idiot and used to prescribe 6 x 50mcg patches every 2 days instead of 3 (hard to believe but true!!) anyways I still.wasnt getting pain relief even after resorting to using the patches buccaly to get every last mcg from them. I switched to methadone (physeptone tablets) and my pain has gone from a 8 or 9 to a 2 or 3........changed my life. IMHO fentanyl patches are vastly overrated.

 

[tricomb]

Here in the USA it's pretty common to get prescribed patches every 48h instead of 72h, most doctors realize that the patches don't last that long and produce VIOLENT withdrawal symptoms in between patches. This is the reason why I don't want to be taking fentanyl for my pain management, and prefer using breakthrough medication over the fentanyl even though it is very effective and is somewhat stable, way more stable than the pills in terms of steady state plasma concentrations so there aren't many peaks and valleys, but the problem is that sometimes the patches don't release correctly for me, either they release way too much or not enough and when it's too much it's such a scary feeling that it's not worth it at all for me, it made my anxiety levels skyrocket due to the respiratory depression, which at least I don't have to worry about with my doses of roxicodone.

 

[BigG]

No....what I meant was he would prescribe SIX 50mcg patches instead of THREE meaning double the dose!! Fentanyl patches never worked for me either though even at 300mcg per hour

 

[Survival0200]

Jesus, those fentanyl breakthrough pain medications are expensive (Breakyl, Abstral, Effentora, Instanyl ...).

 

[BigG]

Jesus, those fentanyl breakthrough pain medications are expensive (Breakyl, Abstral, Effentora, Instanyl ...).

Fentanyl is an expensive medication in any form...even the patches. Although I live in the UK where all prescriptions are either free or a small nominal charge. I mean nothing in life is truely free and wen pay stupid taxes here but its nice to know that what ever you sre prescribed cost wont be a barrier. Ironically I'm now on methadone tablets which extremely cheep.

 

[RodRamsey]

After 3 surgeries on leg for 3 bullet wound I have been on everything and then some. My opiate tolerance is beyond that of normal human so I started suboxone treatment for detox/pain management. Now after loosing insurance I on nothing and pain is building. I guess my question is what otc meds do you recomend for pain management and wds syptoms. I realize its a real impossible question but maybe someone has a trick up they sleeve lol. Taking nsaids now only with no effect.

 

[BigG]

So sorry to hear your suffering mate. Unfortunately there is nothing really OTC that works like opiates....if there was then doctors wouldnt need to prescribe opiates. You can t try paracetamol, ibuprofen and maybe loperamide for wds but unfortunately there is no magic potion out there. Hope you get sorted soon mate. Take care.

 

[Bellasdream]

We are military and have been to many places. Now I am in South Florida and pain management here is a nightmare! I have never experienced anything like this. I have had 22 surgeries on my belly in the past two years and pain is a daily battle. How do you combat issues in areas of high abuse and misuse of the system?

 

[BigG]

We are military and have been to many places. Now I am in South Florida and pain management here is a nightmare! I have never experienced anything like this. I have had 22 surgeries on my belly in the past two years and pain is a daily battle. How do you combat issues in areas of high abuse and misuse of the system?

Im not sure if this post was directed at me to explain the pain management system in Britain but I will anyway lol! Over here healthcare is provided by the state and not private companies and there is a responsibility to treat people humanely and with a degree of compassion. Healthcare is free at the point of contact and noone will be turned away or cut off if they can't pay. As for abuse of the system, doctors can easilspot who is in genuine pain and who is an addict just looking to score drugs. In my experience when I've gone to my doctor and said I've had a lot of pain this month and used up all my meds they just replace them. Genuine addicts will just be prescribed methadone or bupe. Doctors would rather prescribe too much than leave a person in genuine pain. They would rather risk a level of abuse than cut off s genuine pain patient. The NHS has many faults but it is a far more compassionate system......IMO anyway.

T

 

[tricomb]

^That has not at all been the experience of my friend here, Doomed2Pain, who is suffering immensely at what one can only view as, the most pathetic, cold, unforgiving, merciless, fucked up british healthcare system, (IMO).

The USA's pain management is no better, it's all different depending on where you go and what your individual chronic pain is.

 

[BigG]

Well like I said thats MY experience. All doctors are different and if your unlucky to have a total bastard for a gp then it will be different. IMHO the British healthcare system isnt fucked up at all but it is far from perfect. However of your unlucky enough to have a bad experience then your opinion will be different.

 

[RodRamsey]

These nyc doctors are higher than anyone. They dont give a shit what happened to you perc 10. Thats the answer for everything. 3bullets, shattered hip, femur, here take a perc 10. Getting shot supposed to be one of the most painful events so hey break out the real meds doc. Now this guy saying florida getting tight ass, thsts a real bad sign. I realize in nyc if you say the word pain to any doctor your immediately banned